Vaughn

GREAT info Nate!! Thanks for posting. It is already printed and in my file of goodies.

Pete, I could not agree with you more. The reason that I went ahead with the purchase of the 4 speed without a build sheet is that I bought it from Leo. I do not plan on selling it but life sometimes gets in the way of our plans. Vaughn

Just another thought on this. I have a 1970 402 4 speed Monte built in Flint. It is a numbers matching car front to back but no build sheet. I don’t plan on selling it but if I did, would I get as much as the same Monte with the build sheet? I think not and I would think the same would apply to an SS Monte. If you buy a #’s matching car with no build sheet at a reasonable price be prepared to sell it at a reasonable price. I knew this when I purchased my Monte but did not buy it to fix and sell. Just my 2 cents. Vaughn

If you go to page 6 in this forum, about 1/2 way down and look at SS rocker panel emblem you will find some good info that should answer your question. Vaughn

I do not think that anyone has found a build sheet from a Flint built car. A replacement block should be stamped with the code CE. CRN is correct code for a 71 SS Monte 454. I would look for the vin # on the block by the oil filter and yes you can see it from under the car. Hope this helps. Vaughn

I once looked at an " all original" SS Monte. Body was SS but the frame was from a non SS small block car. No boxed trailing arms etc. So # 2 is possible. Vaughn

Thanks for doing this Nate. I think it is great!! And thank you Leo for all your time that you have put into this in the past. Vaughn

Great post Ed, As always I have learned something new from this great club. It all makes sense now. I will not speak for Leo, but I have had a discussion with him before about Vin #'s on the frame and if I remember correctly, he said no Vin #'s stamped on the frames. Vaughn

Ed, I also just dicovered this on the tranny of my 71 SS454 a couple of weeks back. I also have an extra 1 stamped on mine. It has a 1 and then the vin that also starts with one. The funny thing is that it is the exact same on the engine. Has one extra 1 stamped on it. I have checked out the build sheet, and the raised casting #'s on the back of the block. Everything down to the water pump is correctly stamped and dated. Not sure what this extra 1 means? Vaughn

My 71 has a darker color being Rosewood Metallic and it has the black rocker panels. Built at the Van Nuys plant. This is very interesting info. Vaughn

Nate, If you ordered the 454 engine in a 1972 it did not automatically make it a Custom. The Custom Package could have been ordered on any 1972 Monte, regardless of engine size. Vaughn

Hey Nate, I do know one thing, (I think) . The vin # on the 1972 identified the motor. A "w" indicated a 454 and a "U" indicated a 402 motor, etc. It did not tell us if it was a Custom or not. I do agree from what I have seen and been told, that on Canadian built Monte"s, A Z20 on the cowl tag for a SS454 and a Z03 for a 1972 Custom. I remember reading the post that Alex is referring to about Leo's Canadian built 71 SS454. Now if I could only remember what was said. Maybe Leo's is one that snuck out of the factory without it being stamped. Vaughn

Hello Dave, Thanks for the info. This guy was advertising this as an all #s mathcing car which with the help of every one hear I have found out that this is not true. This just pi---- me off. Is no one honest anymore. I guess the $$ will cause people to do anything. Sorry to vent Dave. Hows that nice looking yellow 70 of your's comming. Hope all is well. Vaughn

Just to clear confusion, I am looking at a 1970 SS454 located in St Albert, Alberta, Canada. I believe that the one you are refering to is the primered 1971 that was or is on Ebay. Thanks for the input, all info is good to a rookie like me. Vaughn

Thanks Jim, You confirmed what I thought. MorTec indicates that this was 72-79. No matter what, it's not the original block. Vaughn

Just to add to my other post on the 70SS that I am looking at. Supposed to look at this weekend, but did not work out, imagine that. Owner sent me one block casting # 3999289 GM 14 P. I looked this up and it says it came from a 72-79. Am I right with this? Thanks Vaughn